Freeport housing chief to chair Workforce Development Coalition

Monday

Feb 10, 2014 at 1:45 PMFeb 10, 2014 at 3:01 PM

FREEPORT - Freeport Housing Authority Director Larry Williams is the new chairman of Workforce Development Coalition, a volunteer group that aims to transform northwest Illinois into a workforce-ready community.

Dick Drogosz, co-founder of the WDC, is stepping down after more than three years as chairman. The WDC was formed in 2010 and includes about 20 members representing educators, employers and government related organizations.

Williams, a member of the Steering Council of the WDC for the past two years, has created and introduced initiatives at the Housing Authority that are synergistic with the strategies and programs of the WDC.

Drogosz, a retired Honeywell vice president, said the coalition serves as a liaison between schools and employers in the private sector.

"We're in the process of trying make students and school administrators more aware of what skills employers in the area are looking for and what jobs are available," said Drogosz, who will remain an active WDC member.